I'm kind of concerned. It's supposed to be awful in a lot of New Orleans these days. A lot of crime and mental health issues while the police are overwhelmed and all but a small number of mental health workers have left the area. I'm sure its not the same for everyone but it's been a long time and frustration and living among stressed out folks, etc. takes a toll. I mean who wouldn't get discouraged?

It would sure make me happy to think he's had the time and energy to stay in touch with someone._________________God writes a lot of comedy... the trouble is, he's stuck with so many bad actors who don't know how to play funny. -- Garrison Keillor

THanks for your concern Rainey it does mean a lot to me!!! (in fact my entire C&Z family is most important to me)

All is well, and somehow I am muddling through. the crime is horrifying,(two murdered just blocks from my garden) but it is largely limited to those in the drug trade. THe overall frustration level does stay close to maxxed-out at all times but somehow you get used to it

Helps when you can take a break, and we just returned from a week cruise!

Warm Carribean, waters can and do wash away a lot of stress, but as always ther is plenty waiting for us when we return!

THanks for the concern it does help....well i have to run...early day tommorow Market day!_________________I would like a gin martini, straight up, olives on the side, as dry as my wit, as clean as my conscience.
and... as cold as my heart!!!!

Man! I wish the people who have the money from the taxes we all pay for government services would come through with something more material and effective than "concern" 'cause jes folks like me have little more to offer. But it's GREAT to here from you and, especially, to see that smiling, enthusiastic icon.

Carry on, my man, but be safe! And don't forget to let us know when you need a picker upper. OTOH, can we let you know when we can use a cruise ourselves? Actually, smart move and I'm glad to hear you could do that! The folks in Vancouver regularly head to sunnier climes when the dark and cold and damp of the Northern winter get to them for the same reasons. There was even a move to turn a Caribbean island into a province to facilitate the temporary migrations._________________God writes a lot of comedy... the trouble is, he's stuck with so many bad actors who don't know how to play funny. -- Garrison Keillor

David- Maybe you can clear up an argument Steve and I occasionally have. I think Nunavut is quite small. He says its huge  maybe the largest administrative area  but may only be inhabited in a smaller segment. Wanna take sides?_________________God writes a lot of comedy... the trouble is, he's stuck with so many bad actors who don't know how to play funny. -- Garrison Keillor

Just the facts m'am! Nunavut--created in 1999, basically a native land claim (Inuit) comprises 28 communities totalling 26,000 individuals over an area of 2 million square kilometres! What does Steve win?_________________Vivant Linguae Mortuae!!

One of the very few times in 40 years that I've given in._________________God writes a lot of comedy... the trouble is, he's stuck with so many bad actors who don't know how to play funny. -- Garrison Keillor

Perhaps you'd enjoy hearing that when I had to have most of my thyroid removed I complained to the surgeon that it wasn't fair that after all those years of marriage another man got to slit my throat..._________________God writes a lot of comedy... the trouble is, he's stuck with so many bad actors who don't know how to play funny. -- Garrison Keillor

Perhaps you'd enjoy hearing that when I had to have most of my thyroid removed I complained to the surgeon that it wasn't fair that after all those years of marriage another man got to slit my throat...

Rainey, that's too funny. Glad to hear you were in good enough spirits to be cracking jokes!_________________Don't forget the cannolis!

The important thing is that you understand that I may be stubborn and obnoxious but I've got my loyalties and priorities in order.

PS ...grateful to have ducked a responsibilty for compensating you for a keyboard. _________________God writes a lot of comedy... the trouble is, he's stuck with so many bad actors who don't know how to play funny. -- Garrison Keillor